While that doesn't completely rule out the possibility of Byrd returning to the Bills, it does sound like he's prepared to gauge his value in free agency. Last month, we ranked Byrd as the top safety available among potential unrestricted free agents.

Safety is one of the Jets' biggest defensive needs. They gave up several deep balls last season until they acquired Ed Reed to play centerfield, but Reed will be 36 in September and has hinted at retirement.

The Eagles, too, have a need at safety, though they could choose to fill that through the draft.

Byrd, 27, has been to the Pro Bowl the last two seasons and three times total since the Bills drafted him in the second round in 2009. Pro Football Focus graded him as the NFL's eighth-best safety in 2013, and he earned PFF's seventh-best grade in pass coverage. He was rated as PFF's second- and third-best safety in 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Once he hits the market, Byrd figures to get plenty of interest from a number of NFL teams.

Even after franchising kicker Nick Folk at a guaranteed salary of $3.556 million, the Jets still have an estimated $23.6 million in cap room this season. And the possible release of quarterback Mark Sanchez, receiver Santonio Holmes, and cornerback Antonio Cromartie could free up another $26 million more.